Cubs MLB Roster

Cubs Organizational Depth Chart
40-Man Roster Info

39 players are on the MLB RESERVE LIST (one slot is open), plus two players are on the 60-DAY IL and one player has been DESIGNATED FOR ASSIGNMENT (DFA)   

26 players on MLB RESERVE LIST are ACTIVE, and nine players are on OPTIONAL ASSIGNMENT to minors, three players are on the 15-DAY IL, and one player is on the 10-DAY IL

Last updated 4-23-2024
 
* bats or throws left
# bats both

PITCHERS: 13
Yency Almonte
Adbert Alzolay 
Javier Assad
Colten Brewer
Ben Brown
* Shota Imanaga
Mark Leiter Jr
* Luke Little
Hector Neris 
Jameson Taillon 
Keegan Thompson
Hayden Wesneski 
* Jordan Wicks

CATCHERS: 2
Miguel Amaya
Yan Gomes

INFIELDERS: 7
* Michael Busch 
Nico Hoerner
Nick Madrigal
Christopher Morel
* Matt Mervis
Dansby Swanson
Patrick Wisdom

OUTFIELDERS: 4
* Cody Bellinger 
# Ian Happ
Seiya Suzuki
* Mike Tauchman 

OPTIONED: 9 
Kevin Alcantara, OF 
Michael Arias, P 
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF 
Jose Cuas, P 
Brennen Davis, OF 
Porter Hodge, P 
* Miles Mastrobuoni, INF
Daniel Palencia, P 
Luis Vazquez, INF 

10-DAY IL: 1 
Seiya Suzuki, OF

15-DAY IL: 3
Kyle Hendricks, P 
* Drew Smyly, P 
* Justin Steele, P   

60-DAY IL: 2 
Caleb Kilian, P 
Julian Merryweather, P

DFA: 1 
Garrett Cooper, 1B 
 





Minor League Rosters
Rule 5 Draft 
Minor League Free-Agents

2013 Cubs Extended Spring Training Updated Stats (thru 5/18)

2013 Cubs Cactus League Extended Spring Training updated stats (thru 5/18)

NOTE: Does NOT include intrasquad & sim games

There is no Official Scorer at Cactus League Extended Spring Training games, so all stats are unofficial

EXST CUBS RECORD: 16-21-2

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

POSITION PLAYERS
 


* bats left
# bats both

"SLASH-LINE" below POSITION PLAYERS names = AVG/OBP/SLG 

NOTE: POSITION PLAYERS ARE SORTED BY PLATE APPEARANCES (PA)

CARLOS PENALVER (SS)
338/377/446 
69 PA (22 GAMES) 
22-65 - 5 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 9 R, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 HBP, 2 GIDP, 5 SB (1 CS), 1 PO 
ERRORS: 3

* JACOB ROGERS (1B-3B-RF)
236/348/381
66 PA (22 GAMES)
13-55 - 0 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 9 BB, 20 K, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 1 GIDP, 0 SB (1 CS)
ERRORS: 1 (E-5)

* DANNY LOCKHART (2B-SS-3B)
269/359/327
64 PA (20 GAMES)
14-52 - 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 7 RBI, 9 R, 9 BB, 6 K, 3 SF, 3 GIDP, 3 SB (0 CS), 1 PO 
ERRORS: 4 (one E-6 and three E-4)

REGGIE GOLDEN (LF-RF-CF)
240/377/400
LAST TEN GAMES: 355/484/581
61 PA (20 GAMES) 
12-50 - 3 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 9 RBI, 9 R, 11 BB, 17 K, 1 GIDP, 1 SB (0 CS), 1 PO

YASIEL BALAGUERT (RF-LF-1B)
286/305/482
LAST TEN GAMES: 323/364/613 
59 PA (18 GAMES) 
16-56 - 1 2B, 2 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 5 R, 2 BB, 9 K, 1 SF, 2 GIDP, 0 SB (2 CS) 
DEFENSE: ONE OUTFIELD ASSIST & ONE ERROR (E-3)

# MARK MALAVE (3B-1B)
213/356/277
LAST TEN GAMES: 320/469/444  
59 PA (22 GAMES) 
10-47 - 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 11 R, 11 BB, 14 K, 1 SF, 0 SB (1 CS) 
ERRORS: 8 (seven E-5 and one E-3)

JEFFREY BAEZ (RF-CF-LF)
347/418/612 
LAST TEN GAMES: 387/457/710 
55 PA (19 GAMES)
17-49 - 1 2B, 0 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 10 R, 5 BB, 14 K, 1 HBP, 3 SB (1 CS)

# KEVIN ENCARNACION (CF-RF-LF)
298/389/489 
54 PA (20 GAMES)
14-47 - 5 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 7 BB, 12 K, 0 SB (1 CS), 1 PO 
DEFENSE: ONE OUTFIELD ASSIST & ONE ERROR   

* JOSE DORE (1B-2B-3B-LF-RF)
227/346/386
52 PA (22 GAMES)
10-44 - 2 2B, 1 3B, 1 HR, 5 RBI, 9 R, 6 BB, 16 K, 2 HBP, 1 SB (0 CS)
DEFENSE: ONE OUTFIELD ASSIST & THREE ERRORS (one E-3 and two E-5)

XAVIER BATISTA (RF-LF-1B)
140/229/186 
48 PA (17 GAMES)
6-43 - 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 4 R, 4 BB, 17 K, 1 HBP 

* TREVOR GRETZKY (LF-1B) 
333/383/429
47 PA (16 GAMES)
14-42 - 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB, 9 K, 1 SH, 1 GIDP 
ERRORS: 1 (E-3)

JESSE HODGES (3B-1B)
244/311/366
45 PA (14 GAMES) 
10-41 - 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 3 HBP
ERRORS: 4 (E-5) 

SHAWON DUNSTON JR (CF)
410/455/564 
LAST TEN GAMES: 517/516/724
44 PA (14 GAMES)
16-39 - 0 2B, 3 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 8 R, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 1 SB (0 CS)
DEFENSE: TWO OUTFIELD ASSISTS & TWO ERRORS 

* RASHAD CRAWFORD (CF-RF-LF)
108/233/162 
43 PA (16 GAMES)
4-37 - 0 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 5 BB, 16 K, 1 HBP, 1 SB (0 CS) 
NOTE: Crawford has given-up switch-hitting and is now batting only LH  

FRANCISCO SANCHEZ (SS-2B)
222/317/306
41 PA (17 GAMES)
8-36 - 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB, 19 K, 3 HBP, 1 SB (0 CS), 1 PO 
ERRORS: 5 (all E-6) 

* GARRETT SCHLECHT (LF-RF)
194/366/290
41 PA (17 GAMES)
6-31 - 1 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 8 BB, 10 K, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 1 GIDP, 1 PO
DEFENSE: 3 OUTFIELD ASSISTS

BRAD ZAPENAS (2B-3B-SS)
324/410/471 
39 PA (14 GAMES)
3 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 10 R, 4 BB, 5 K, 1 HBP, 0 SB (1 CS), 1 PO
ERRORS: 2 (both E-4)

DONG-YUB KIM (LF)
212/289/333 
38 PA (16 GAMES)
7-33 - 1 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 3 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 5 K, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 1 GIDP, 2 SB (0 CS)

DAVID BOTE (2B-3B-SS)
219/324/344 
37 PA (12 GAMES)
7-32 - 0 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 5 BB, 9 K, 1 SH, 1 SB (3 CS)
NOTE: Has been moved up to Kane County

* JUSTIN MARRA (C)
222/417/370 
36 PA (15 GAMES) 
6-27 - 2 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 9 RBI, 8 R, 9 BB, 11 K
DEFENSE: 1-5 CS (20%)  

LANCE RYMEL (C-1B)
280/419/400 
31 PA (13 GAMES)
7-25 - 3 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, 5 K, 2 HBP, 2 GIDP
DEFENSE: 9-15 CS (60%), 1 PO

* ALBERTO MINEO (C-1B)
231/310/269 
29 PA (14 GAMES)
6-26 - 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 1 R, 3 BB, 3 K 
DEFENSE: 0-6 CS (0%)

# WILFREDO PETIT (C-1B)
120/250/120 
28 PA (12 GAMES)
4-25 - 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 GIDP, 0 SB (1 CS), 1 PO
DEFENSE: 3-18 CS (17%), 1 PO, 3 PB, 4 ERRORS

# ERICK CASTILLO (C)
333/370/375
27  PA (12 GAMES)
8-24 - 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 1 SF, 1 GIDP
DEFENSE: 2-10 CS (20%), 1 PB, 1 ERROR

# FRANDY DE LA ROSA (SS-2B)
167/167/167
24 PA (12 GAMES)
4-24 - 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K
ERRORS: 1 (E-6)  

RONY RODRIGUEZ (C)
300/391/600
23 PA (9 GAMES)
6-20 - 3 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, 1 BB, 5 K, 2 HBP, 0 SB (1 CS)
DEFENSE: 0-3 CS (0%), 2 ERRORS

ALBERT ALMORA (CF)
273/273/500
22 PA (5 GAMES)
6-22 - 1 2B, 2 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 3 R, 0 BB, 4 K 

# ROBERTO CARO (LF-CF)
188/381/188 
21 PA (10 GAMES)
3-16 - 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 3 R, 5 BB, 4 K, 1 SB (1 CS)

* BRYANT FLETE (2B-SS)
188/222/188 
18 PA (9 GAMES)
3-16 - 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 4 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K, 1 SF, 1 SB (1 CS)
ERRORS: 4 (one E-6 and three E-4)
NOTE: Has been assigned to VSL Cubs

NEFTALI ROSARIO
(C)
067/143/067
16 PA (8 GAMES)
1-15 - 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 1 R, 1 BB, 3 K
DEFENSE: 3-10 CS (30%), 2 PB

* IAN STEWART (3B)
200/250/267
16 PA (3 GAMES)
3-15 - 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 0 BB, 5 K, 1 HBP
NOTE: Was on INJURY REHAB ASSIGNMENT - is now at AAA Iowa

CARLOS ESCOBAR (C)
461/461/846
13 PA (5 GAMES)
6-13 - 2 2B, 0 3B, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 2 R, 0 BB, 5 K
DEFENSE: 1-5 CS (20%), 1 PO
NOTE: Has been moved up to Kane County

LUIS ACOSTA (3B)
091/167/182
12 PA (4 GAMES)  
1-11 - 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K
ERRORS: 5  

JOSH VITTERS (3B-1B)
455/500/636
12 PA (3 GAMES) 
5-11 - 2 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 HBP
NOTE: Was on INJURY REHAB ASSIGNMENT - is now at AAA Iowa

RONI TORREYES (2B)
273/273/455
11 PA (3 GAMES)
3-11 - 0 2B, 1 3B, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 GIDP 
NOTE: Has been moved up to Tennessee 

# JOSE MORALES (DH)
600/600/600
3 PA (1 GAME)
2-3 - 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 0 RBI, 1 R, 0 BB, 1 K

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

PITCHERS 

* throws left  

NOTE: PITCHERS ARE SORTED BY INNINGS PITCHED (IP)

JAMES PUGLIESE
2.14 ERA - 0.95 WHIP  
21.0 IP, 12 H, 5 R (5 ER), 8 BB, 20 K, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 69% strikes, 21/18 GO/FO 
9 GAMES (3 GS)

JOSE ROSARIO
5.14 ERA - 1.52 WHIP
21.0 IP, 20 H, 16 R (12 ER), 12 BB, 14 K, 1 HR, 4 WP, 57% strikes, 25/19 GO/FO 
7 GAMES (3 GS)
DEFENSE: 3 ERRORS
NOTE: Has been moved up to Kane County

PAUL BLACKBURN
4.87 ERA - 1.43 WHIP
20.1 IP, 25 H, 14 R (11 ER), 4 BB, 12 K, 4 HBP, 3 HR, 1 WP, 2 PO, 61% strikes, 27/17 GO/FO
7 GAMES (7 GS)

TYLER BREMER
5.49 ERA - 1.37 WHIP 
19.2 IP, 24 H, 13 R (12 ER), 3 BB, 19 K, 3 HR, 1 GIDP, 1 PO, 65% strikes, 19/16 GO/FO
12 GAMES

TREY LANG
4.82 ERA - 1.66 WHIP 
18.2 IP, 21 H, 10 R (10 ER), 10 BB, 12 K, 1 HBP, 3 WP, 1 GIDP, 1 PO, 56% strikes, 23/14 GO/FO 
7 GAMES (3 GS)
ERRORS: 1 

MIKE HAMANN
2.76 ERA - 1.29 WHIP 
16.1 IP, 16 H, 6 R (5 ER), 5 BB, 14 K, 3 WP, 1 GIDP, 70% strikes, 22/14 GO/FO
11 GAMES
ERRORS: 1

DUANE UNDERWOOD
1.80 ERA - 1.40 WHIP

15.0 IP, 13 H, 3 R (3 ER), 8 BB, 13 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 GIDP, 1 PO, 58% strikes, 17/8 GO/FO
5 GAMES (5 GS)

ERICK LEAL
3.07 ERA - 1.30 WHIP 

14.2 IP, 14 H, 6 R (5 ER), 5 BB, 14 K, 66% strikes, 15/14 GO/FO
6 GAMES (2 GS)
ERRORS: 1

JOSH CONWAY
3.38 ERA - 1.58 WHIP 
13.1 IP, 12 H, 5 R (5 ER), 7 BB, 16 K, 1 HR, 1 GIDP, 60% strikes, 14/11 GO/FO 
5 GAMES (5 GS) 
ERRORS: 1  

LOIGER PADRON  
6.17 ERA - 1.97 WHIP  
11.2 IP, 15 H, 10 R (8 ER), 8 BB, 10 K, 2 HBP, 1 WP, 51% strikes, 13/11 GO/FO 
8 GAMES

CHAD MARTIN
9.00 ERA - 2.27  WHIP
11.0 IP, 23 H, 13 R (11 ER), 2 BB, 11 K, 68% strikes, 7/14 GO/FO 
4 GAMES

CORBIN HOFFNER
18.62 ERA - 3.52 WHIP 
9.2 IP, 23 H, 26 R (20 ER), 11 BB, 7 K, 1 HBP, 2 HR, 2 WP, 58% strikes, 12/10 GO/FO 
8 GAMES   

CARLOS MARTINEZ
1.00 ERA - 1.33 WHIP  
9.0 IP, 6 H, 4 R (1 ER), 6 BB, 3 K, 56% strikes, 18/6 GO/FO  
6 GAMES

DILLION MAPLES
3.12 ERA - 1.50 WHIP

8.2 IP, 7 H, 3 R (3 ER), 6 BB, 11 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 58% strikes, 12/2 GO/FO 
3 GAMES (3 GS) 
NOTE: Has been moved up to Kane County

ETHAN ELIAS
10.13 ERA -  2.38 WHIP
8.0 IP, 16 H, 9 R (9 ER), 3 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP, 2 WP, 1 GIDP, 65% strikes, 8/8 GO/FO
5 GAMES  

JASVIR RAKKAR
14.63 ERA - 2.88  WHIP
8.0 IP, 18 H, 14 R (13 ER), 5 BB, 8 K, 2 WP, 66% strikes, 5/11 GO/FO
3 GAMES

DANIEL ADRIAN
6.14 ERA - 2.32 WHIP 
7.1 IP, 11 H, 6 R (5 ER), 6 BB, 7 K, 2 WP, 1 BALK, 61% strikes, 6/6 GO/FO
5 GAMES

* KYLER BURKE
3.00 ERA - 1.00 WHIP 

6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 65% strikes, 3/8 GO/FO 
2 GAMES (1 GS)
NOTE: Has been moved up to Daytona 

* MATT IANNAZZO
6.00 ERA - 1.50 WHIP 
6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 R (4 ER), 1 BB, 9 K, 1 WP, 1 PO, 67% strikes, 4/4 GO/FO 
4 GAMES

RYAN McNEIL
0.00 ERA - 0.67 WHIP
6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 GIDP, 73% strikes, 7/3 GO/FO
2 GAMES (1 GS)

GUILLERMO MOSCOSO
0.00 ERA - 0.83 WHIP
6.0 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 8 K, 1 PO, 76% strikes, 6/3 GO/FO
2 GAMES (2 GS)
NOTE: Has been moved up to AAA Iowa

DAYAN DIAZ
3.18 ERA - 1.76 WHIP  

5.2 IP, 6 H, 2 R (2 ER), 4 BB, 6 K, 1 HBP, 1 HR, 2 GIDP, 62% strikes, 8/2 GO/FO 
4 GAMES (1 GS)

DAVID CALES

5.40 ERA - 1.40 WHIP
5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R (3 ER), 0 BB, 8 K, 1 HR, 67% strikes, 3/3 GO/FO
5 GAMES
NOTE: Has been moved up to Daytona 

ALEXANDER SANTANA
0.00 ERA - 0.40 WHIP
5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 7 K, 1 HBP, 64% strikes, 2/6 GO/FO
2 GAMES (1 GS)

* HUNTER ACKERMAN
7.71 ERA - 1.50 WHIP
4.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R (4 ER), 2 BB, 5 K, 1 HBP, 1 WP, 1 BALK, 65% strikes, 6/3 GO/FO 
3 GAMES

* ANTHIONY PRIETO
11.57 ERA - 2.36 WHIP

4.2 IP, 8 H, 6 R (6 ER), 3 BB, 8 K, 1 HBP, 3 WP, 61% strikes, 3/2 GO/FO 
4 GAMES

LARRY SUAREZ
2.25 ERA - 1.50 WHIP
4.0 IP, 5 H, 1 R (1 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 67% strikes, 3/6 GO/FO
3 GAMES

MATT LOOSEN
4.99 ERA - 0.82 WHIP
3.2 IP, 3 H, 4 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 3 K, 1 WP, 63% strikes, 2/6 GO/FO
1 GAME
NOTE: Has been moved up to AA Tennessee

DAURY TORREZ
6.00 ERA - 1.33 WHIP
3.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R (2 ER), 0 BB, 2 K, 1 HBP, 71% strikes, 5/2 GO/FO
2 GAMES (1 GS)

* HUNTER CERVENKA
0.00 ERA - 0.43 WHIP
2.1 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 0 K, 61% strikes, 4/3 GO/FO
2 GAMES
NOTE: Has been moved up to Daytona  

* JEFF LORICK
0.00 ERA - 0.50 WHIP
2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 BB, 4 K, 72% strikes, 2/0 GO/FO
2 GAMES (1 GS)
NOTE: Has been moved up to Daytona

CARLOS GUTIERREZ
0.00 ERA - 0.60 WHIP
1.2 IP, 0 H, 1 R (0 ER), 1 BB, 3 K, 1 HBP, 55% strikes, 2/0 GO/FO
1 GAME

JUAN FRANCISCO
18.00 ERA - 4.00 WHIP
1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 2 WP, 45% strikes, 3/1 GO/FO
1 GAME

* CARLOS RODRIGUEZ
18.00 ERA - 4.00 WHIP
1.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R (2 ER), 2 BB, 0 K, 52% strikes, 1/2 GO/FO
1 GAME

Comments

Anybody know the record for errors at Single-A? Javy Baez with 2 more yesterday - now with 19 for the season.....

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

I remember a conversation at TCR years ago with reference to Starlin's propensity for errors, and it was brought up that Jeter once committed 59 in A ball. It was a mini-point of discussion because different sources were reporting the number as either 59 or 159, but it was determined to be 59. Edit: I guess it was 56, funny we both thought of the same thing. IMO: Errors in the minors are just part of development. To some extent, a player already is what he is. The key is to show general improvement (especially in gloving and throwing) across the player's age 18-24 seasons, at which point most guys are probably "finished products" defensively and there is also evidence of the beginning of range decline.

[ ]

In reply to by billybucks

as an aside...the worst SS i've ever seen in my life is/was bj upton. words cannot describe how awful he was...it blows my mind he actually made it to AAA playing the position...and that he wasn't moved earlier in his minor league or AAA career. even when he wasn't making plays that would count as errors he was playing really bad SS. they gave him an enormous amount of leeway trying to get him to stick at the position.

grant balfour + live TV...what the hell was the MLB Network thinking? he only let 1 swear fly (not bleeped)...that's about 3-4 times less than i expected.

just when you think the Cubs are starting to look like a major league team, they go and lose 2 of 3 at home to the Mets.

Scott Feldman though looking good as trade bait.

[ ]

In reply to by Rob G.

I see Feldman and DeJesus as the most tradeable assets, with Shierholtz somewhere behind them, and the asking price for Garza being more than teams want to give up by a pretty good margin. Garza would still be likely to bring back the best haul, though. I mean, even in a good year, what are you really willing to give up for a Feldman or DeJesus?

[ ]

In reply to by Charlie

In addition to those you mention, I'm sure the Cubs will aggressively market Soriano and Marmol including salary relief. Clearly they will not command the prospects of those you mentioned, although Soriano might if he heats up again. Marmol can hopefully be disposed of for insert fringe prospect here. As for Shierholtz and Feldman, attempts to extend would not surprise me. Shierholtz and Hairston are a pretty good platoon on paper, and Hairston has been the one to fail on the execution aspect of that plan, not Shierholtz. The closest thing to an OF prospect at either AA or AAA at this point has to be Jae-Hoon Ha, who is not a guy that you clear the depth chart for.

Great update Phil. It is appreciated. Great to see the hitting over the last ten games. Looks like some of these guys are coming around.

Recent comments

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Walker was a complimentary piece who was well past his prime. Edmonds, Holliday, Ozzie Smith and a few others were good trades. Notably, they have almost always been quiet in the free agent market. But the fundamental workings of the organization were always based primarily upon the constant output of a well oiled minor league organization. That organization has ground to a halt. And when did that hard stop start to happen? Right at the beginning of the Goldschmidt/Arenado era, perpetuated by the Contreras signing, followed by the rotation purchases during the last offseason. The timing is undeniable and, in my mind, not coincidental.

    Again, we are all saying that player development became deemphasized. I’m just linking it directly to the recent trades and involvement in the free agent market. I don’t see how the two concepts can be decoupled.

  • Charlie (view)

    The Cards also traded for both Jim Edmonds and Larry Walker. It's the developing part that has fallen off. Of course, it could also be the case that there are no more Matt Carpenters left to pull out of the hat. 

  • Childersb3 (view)

    Cubs sign 28 yr old RHRP Daniel Missaki. He was in MiLB from his 17yr old to 19yr old years and did pretty well.
    He's been in Mexico and Japan the last four years and has done well also.
    He's supposedly Japanese and Brazilian.
    Interesting sign. We obviously need to RP in the system
    Injuries are mounting everywhere!!

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Sure, they made generally short term trades for established players to enhance what they already had or traded for players early enough in their careers that they were essentially Cardinals from the start. What they never did was to try to use the more established players as foundational cornerstones.

    Essentially we’re saying the same thing. They have given up on player development to the point that even their prospects that make it to the bigs flop so that they have to do things like buy most of their rotation and hope for the best.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    I don’t buy that. They had been doing that for years.

    They did it with Matt Holliday. They did it with John Lackey. They did it with Mark Mulder. They did it with Jason Heyward, who had a great year for them. I’m sure there’s more but those come to mind immediately.

    I attribute it more to a breakdown in what they’re doing in terms of development than a culture thing.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    They won those trades and sacrificed their culture. That’s exactly their problem.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    The other part that’s kind of crazy is they made two very high profile trades, one for Goldschmidt and one for Arenado, and they very clearly won those trades. They just haven’t been able to develop players the last handful of years the way they usually do.

    I guess the moral there is it’s hard to stay on top of your game and be good at what you do in perpetuity.

  • TarzanJoeWallis (view)

    Marmol was extended at the beginning of the year. Two years I believe.

  • crunch (view)

    Jesse Rogers @JesseRogersESPN
    Craig Counsell doesn’t have a timetable for Cody Bellinger who technically has two cracked ribs on his right side. CT scan showed it today.

  • Dolorous Jon Lester (view)

    Thought it might have been David Peralta given the open 40 man spot and how PCA has played so far.